Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

I have a school of rummy nose tetras that I love. They do add color, and they tend to be tight schoolers, so they are quite visually appealing. They also act as good indicators for the tank - as soon as they are stressed or something's not right, they will lose the color from their nose. Mine lose their color whenever I do a water change (the siphon freaks them out), but 15 minutes later they are back to normal.

Rummies tend to occupy the bottom half of the tank, so keep that in mind for your stocking. If the bottom is already quite full with your other fish (I'm not sure where the other tetras hang out) and lots of decorations, it might get a little crowded.

In my experience I wouldn't say that any one species of fish tends to "come" with ick. Some are more prone to getting it when they are stressed than others, but the ick is either present in the tanks they came from or it's not.

I know it's a pain, but I really really recommend a quarantine tank. It's always exciting to bring home new fish and you want to see them in the tank as soon as possible, but it's not worth the hassle of introducing diseases and parasites into your established tank. Always assume a new fish is going to be infected with something (or at least has the potential to introduce something bad into your tank).

+1 to Cascades comments about Rummey noses. Once acclimated they are a great community fish as cascade pointed out. I've kept them several times and currently have 20 in my 75 gal.

Aso good points about Ick (by the way they are not any more susceptible to it than any other healthy fish) and QT tanks.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John WoodenSandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep

Well I called Petsmart and they said they don't seem to sell them anymore- haven't in at least 3 months. shoot. They do have bloodfins though and I've done my research on them a bit too.
I didn't think any fish was more prone to disease then another but what I've read all say they tend to get ick more because they stress too easy. Might do better with bloodfins that have more toughness.

Anyway, though my husband thinks I am, I'm not stupid. :-) I know a hospital/quarenteen tank is a great idea. I have the 10 gal for it but not a filter for it yet. It used to house a hermit crab and I finally got it cleaned last summer. just haven't picked up a filter for it. I just made mom a deal though. She doesn't like her AC for 10 gal so I said I'd buy her a whisper (she loves them) and trade for the AC that acts up a bit... mostly cause she doesn't set it right. So when I can get her a whisper to replace I can easily set up the AC for 10 gal because I run an AC 200 in 30 gal. So that's easy to keep a sponge ready to go.

I like Bloodfins and they are one of the most hardy of characins (as you pointed out) and can even be kept at lower tempatures.

They are one of the tighter schooling fish you were looking for also.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John WoodenSandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep

what they have in stock look good too. But I'll probably be holding off for a bit on getting any. I like to plan ahead. I think my husband would like them. I also checked into Cherry Barbs, they were on sale but out of stock. Probably a good thing. I don't know much about barbs cept for the tigers I used to own. I know they can't be with Bettas but I read that cherry's were ok.

Cherry barbs are fine. They're colorful, peaceful, and active. It's a lot of fun watching the males displaying for the females and everybody else in the tank as well. They mix with tetra of their own size well. They are NOT fin nippers or overly aggressive as Tiger barbs can be.

Cherry barbs are fine. They're colorful, peaceful, and active. It's a lot of fun watching the males displaying for the females and everybody else in the tank as well. They mix with tetra of their own size well. They are NOT fin nippers or overly aggressive as Tiger barbs can be.

+1 to Taurus's comments on Cherry Barbs. Check out firefly's tank in the Aquarium journal threads. She has done a great job with her Cherry barb tank.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John WoodenSandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep